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Best Tourist Places to Visit in Bonthe, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Africa

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Bonthe, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Africa

Bonthe is a town situated on the eastern shore of Sherbro Island in Sierra Leone. It falls under Bonthe District in the southern province of the country. It is located around 60 miles southwest of the country’s second largest city Bo and 185 miles southeast of the country’s capital and largest city, Freetown. The municipality of Bonthe is the smallest municipality amongst the 6 municipalities of Sierra Leone. Bonthe coordinates with 7°31′35″ N latitude and 12°30′18″ W longitude.

Historically, Bonthe had become famous as a trading centre for Piassava and agricultural products. Currently fishing is the backbone of Bonthe’s economy.

How to reach Bonthe?

Bonthe has an airport with name Sherbro International Airport but currently it is not served by any scheduled flights. So the boat is the only option to travel between Bonthe and Sierra Leone.

The general option to get Bonthe from Freetown or Bo or any mainland Sierra Leonean cities is taking a taxi or minibus from where visitors start their journey to Bonthe and then getting down at the town of Mattru Jong, where direct boat services are available to Bonthe.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Bonthe:

Ethnically, Bothe is a diverse city, though its greater percentage of population is formed by Sherbro and Mende communities. Bonthe is a perfect place to buy some typical Sierra Leonean handicraft products. Bothe is also well known among visitors for seafood.

Things to do in Bonthe:

Beach exploring
Shopping
Walking
Island tour

Tourist Attractions in Bonthe:

Beaches of Bonthe:

Due to its location on the shoreline of Sherbro Island, Bonthe is blessed with a spectacular tropical beach. The beach is frequented by both locals and visitors throughout the year for its winsome beauty, opportunities of different water sport activities and for dining and shopping on the beach line.

Bonthe Port:

The Bonthe Port is a commercial as well as nice relaxation point. Exploring port and its surroundings would be a half day tour for visitors as it is broad and typical site.

Sherbro International Airport:

The Sherbro International Airport is currently an inactive airport, situated at an elevation of 4 meters, on the outskirts of the city. Its pleasant environment and nice location have made Sherbro International Airport famous among visitors and one of the landmark sites of Bonthe. It can easily be reached by walk.

List of other places of interest near Bonthe include:

Bo Stadium
Diamond mines in Bo
Njala University
John Obey Beach
Banana Divers Sierra Leone
Paddy’s Bar
Gola Forest National Reserve
Sierra Leone National Museum
St George’s Cathedral
Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Lumley Beach
Gola Rainforest National Park
National Railway Museum
Tambakula Arts and Crafts Center

When to visit Bonthe?

Throughout the year is best, especially during the months between October and May is recommended to visit Bonthe in Sierra Leone.

Hotels in Bonthe:

Bonthe is home to a limited number of hotels, of which recommendable options are Bonthe Holiday Village, Seaside Spot and The Compound. All these hotels are relatively modernized and have ability make visitors’ tour memorable. For more options, visitors can refer below list of hotels in Bo (around 60 miles from Bonthe) and Kenema (around 70 miles from Bonthe):

Dohas Hotel and Restaurant in Bo
Madame Woki Hotel in Bo
Hotel Sir Milton in Bo
Countryside Hotel in Bo
Imperial Hotel in Bo
Sahara Hotel in Bo
Ericson Guest House in Kenema
Paloma Guest House in Kenema
Capitol Hotel in Kenema

Places to Visit in Bo, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Africa

Places to Visit in Bo, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Africa

Bo, also called Bo Town, is a city situated in the Southern Province of the African country Sierra Leone. It is the second largest city of Sierra Leone, following the national capital, Freetown, from which Bo is situated around 230 km away. Bo is the seat of Bo District and holds the reputation of the second important educational, commercial and financial hub of Sierra Leone, after Freetown.

Bo is well known for many reputed learning centres such as Njala University, Fourah Bay College and the Bo Government Secondary School. Bo is geographically positioned between 7°57′23″ N latitude and 11°44′24″ W longitude.

History of Bo:

Bo served as the capital of the Protectorate of Sierra Leone from 1930 until the independence of Sierra Leone from the United Kingdom on 27 April 1961. Bo opened itself to modern development in 1889 with the arrival of the railroad to the region. Bo geared up towards becoming one of the leading education centres of the country with the establishment of Bo Government Secondary School in 1906.

Getting Bo:

Bo is home to an airport with regular flight services from Freetown, Kenema and Yengema, served by Eagle Air. The distance of 3 km from the heart of Bo to the airport can easily be crossed by taxis or rental cars.

Bo is well connected to Freetown towards the northwest and Kenema towards the east by regular bus services, taking around 4 hours and 1 hour respectively.

Okadas is the prevalent option to get around the city of Bo.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Bo:

Bo is city with people belonging to different communities, dominated by the Mende people. Krio is a commonly communicated language in Bo. Bo has all basic and modernized living amenities including shops, restaurants, hotels, banks, educational institutions and internet cafes.

Things to do in Bo:

Visiting university and stadium
Day tours
Shopping

Tourist Attractions in Bo:

Bo Stadium:

The Bo Stadium is the 2^nd largest stadium of Sierra Leone, following the Freetown Stadium, with a seating capacity of 25,000 spectators. Opened in 2006, it is the home ground of Bo Rangers and Nepean Stars football clubs.

Njala University:

The Njala University is one of the recommended places to visit in Bo and it owns the dignity of the 2^nd largest university of Sierra Leone. It was established in 1964 and currently trains around 25,000 students with different latest courses.

Diamond mines in Bo:

Bo is home to many small scale diamond mines that can be visited through a guided tour and that would probably become a memorable tour for visitors.

List of other places of interest in and around Bo include:

Bo Airport
Bo Government Secondary School
Christ the King College secondary school
Bo Teacher’s College
Gola Forest National Reserve
Gola Rainforest National Park
John Obey Beach
Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Lumley Beach
National Railway Museum
Tambakula Arts and Crafts Center
Banana Divers Sierra Leone
Paddy’s Bar
Sierra Leone National Museum
St George’s Cathedral

Best time to visit Bo:

The best and most popular time to visit Bo is from October to May when the dry season runs in the country.

Hotels in and around Bo:

Bo is a colorful city with many upgraded tourist favor hotels that are spread up all around the city. Price per night in mid range to luxury hotels varies from Le 70,000 to 150,000. Most hotels in Bo offer advance booking facility through online for visitors’ convenience. The below list includes hotels in Bo and Kenema (around 65 km from Bo):

Dohas Hotel and Restaurant
Madame Woki Hotel
Hotel Sir Milton
Countryside Hotel
Imperial Hotel
Sahara Hotel
Ericson Guest House in Kenema
Paloma Guest House in Kenema
Capitol Hotel in Kenema

Tourist Places to Visit in Sierra Leone, West Africa, Africa

Tourist Places to Visit in Sierra Leone, West Africa, Africa

Sierra Leone is a West African country geographically positioned on the Atlantic Ocean Coast at 8.4844° N, 13.2344° W. It shares its land borders with Liberia towards the southeast, Guinea towards the northeast, while its sea border is shared with the Atlantic Ocean in the southwest. Freetown is the capital and largest city of Sierra Leone. The other important cities of Sierra Leone include:

Bo
Bonthe
Makeni
Kenema
Koidu

Geographically, Sierra Leone is a diverse country with features ranging from savannah to rainforests. The total area of Sierra Leone measures 71,740 sq. km. The capital Freetown stands as the capital of Sierra Leone tourism with spectacular beaches, nature reserves, art and craft houses and museums.

History of Sierra Leone:

The history of Sierra Leone dates back to 15^th century, when it was visited by Portuguese explorer Pedro de Sintra, who named it Serra de Leôa, which means ‘Lioness Mountain’. Sierra Leone fell under the British rule in the early 19th century and after nearly 150 years of British rule, in 1961, Sierra Leone became an independent country on 27 April 1961 and became republic on 19 April 1971.

Getting Sierra Leone:

The Lungi International Airport is the primary airport of Sierra Leone, situated in the town of Lungi, around 28 km northwest of the national capital Freetown. The airport links Sierra Leone to many important European and African cities including London, Paris, Nairobi, Casablanca and Brussels.

The Sierra Leone Road Transport Authority operates intercity bus services between the major cities of the country. Minibuses (poda poda) are another option for intercity travel. Rental cars and motorbikes are the convenient options for local travel in Sierra Leonean cities.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Sierra Leone:

The population of Sierra Leone is formed by sixteen ethnic groups, dominated by the Temne and the Mende. Muslims are higher in the majority, while Krio is a commonly spoken language in Sierra Leone.

Although inexpensive, local crafts are famous among visitors coming to Sierra Leone. Rice is the major staple food of Sierra Leonean cuisine. Meat, fish and green vegetables are also widely consumed by Sierra Leonean people.

Things to do in Sierra Leone:

Exploring beaches
Diving
Golfing

Must see in Sierra Leone:

National Rail Museum:

The National Rail Museum is situated in Cline Town of Freetown. The museum’s collection includes numerous steam/diesel locomotives and carriages. No entry fee, guide is provided, but donations are welcomed. The museum is open from 10:30-17:00 (Monday-Saturday).

Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary:

The Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary is one of the recommended places to visit in Sierra Leone. It is located on the outskirts of Freetown, home to a substantial number of chimpanzees. It is allowed for visitors both in the morning (10:30AM) and evening (4:00PM) on all days of the week.

Beaches of Freetown:

Beaches of Freetown are the heartbeat of Sierra Leone’s tourism. They are large in number, accounting more than 10, with genuine natural beauty that is amazing, engaging and totally superb. Some excellent beaches include Goderich Beach, Lumley Beach, Hamilton Beach and Black Johnson Beach.

St. John’s Maroon Church:

Although being small in size, the St. John’s Maroon Church is a magnificent historical church, located in Freetown. Constructed in 1820, it was designated as a national heritage site in the year 1956.

Sierra Leone National Museum:

The Sierra Leone National Museum is situated near the City Hall in Freetown. The museum concentrates on showcasing the history and culture of Sierra Leone with nicely stored artifacts and artworks, including personal belongings of a prominent freedom fighter Bai Bureh.

List of other places of interest in Sierra Leone include:

Cape Sierra Leone Lighthouse
Hill Station Club
Charlotte Falls
Mamah Beach
Bureh Beach

When to visit Sierra Leone?

Sierra Leone experiences a tropical climate with relatively hot and humid weather year round. Its average annual temperature is 26 °C. The best and most preferred time to visit Sierra Leone is from December to May.

Where to stay in Sierra Leone?

The hospitality industry of Sierra Leone is centered in the capital city Freetown. General price for a single room in guesthouses ranges between $35-$50, if it is in mid range hotel that costs between $100 and $180, depending on amenities and season. List of the prominent hotels in Sierra Leone (Freetown include):

Family Kingdom Resort
Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel
Kimbima Hotel
Bintumani Hotel
Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites Freetown
The Rogbonko Village Retreat
Mamba Point Guesthouse
Cockle Point
Lacs Villa Guest House
Leone Lodge Freetown
Hotel de la Joie
Njala IAR Guesthouse
Sierra International Hotel
Simple Goal Guest House
Raza Guest House

Places to Visit in Mogadishu, Somalia, East Africa, Africa

Places to Visit in Mogadishu, Somalia, East Africa, Africa

Mogadishu is the capital and largest city of the eastern African country Somalia. It is situated in the Banaadir region on the coastline of the Indian Ocean, covering an area of 1,657 sq. km. Being the country’s capital, Mogadishu is home to the Federal Government of Somalia, the Federal Parliament of Somalia, Villa Somalia and many administrative houses.

Mogadishu is also renowned as a university town, home to the Somali National University and Mogadishu University. For visitors, Mogadishu is a paradise with a mix of historic to modern, natural to manmade attractions like white sandy beaches, mosques, museums, libraries, vibrant traditional markets and palaces.

History of Mogadishu:

It is believed that, the name of Mogadishu may be derived from the Persian term Maq’ad-i-Shah and it literally means ‘the seat of the Shah’, indicating the Persian influence on the city. Like the rest of Somalia, Mogadishu also witnessed the rule of many famous sultanates, including Sultanate of Mogadishu and Ajuran Sultanate, prior to the European invasion. Mogadishu became the capital of the newly formed Italian Somaliland in 1905 and has been continued to serve as the capital of the independent Somalia since 1960.

Getting Mogadishu:

The Mogadishu International Airport in Mogadishu is the gateway to Somalia, situated around 6 km away from the city centre. The airport handles flights from Nairobi, Djibouti and Berbera, Dubai, Sharjah and Istanbul.

There is no railway transportation in Mogadishu like the rest of Somalia, but the city is well served by buses, taxis and rental vehicles like cars and bikes.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Mogadishu:

Apart from many recognized universities, Mogadishu houses the National Museum of Somalia, the National Library of Somalia and the National Theatre of Somalia.

Bakaara Market is the prime traditional shopping site in Mogadishu, where everything can be bagged, including handicraft products and jewels. Lido Sea Food restaurant and Dhadhan are the two famous restaurants in Mogadishu.

What to do in Mogadishu?

Beach exploration
Visiting universities
City tour

What to see in Mogadishu?

National Museum of Somalia:

The National Museum of Somalia in Mogadishu was founded in 1933 during the Italian colonial rule. It exhibits the importance of the country’s history and importance with a great collection of artworks, bartering tools, traditional artifacts and ancient weaponry.

Mosque of Islamic Solidarity:

Considered as the Horn of Africa’s largest masjid, the Mosque of Islamic Solidarity is a symbolic mosque, constructed in 1987. Overlooking the Indian Ocean, the mosque has a capacity of 10,000 devotees.

The National Theatre of Somalia:

The National Theatre of Somalia is the most important cultural centre in Mogadishu, established in the year 1967. It was once closed during the civil war in the 1990s and reopened in 2013. Cultural performances are regularly taking place here.

National Library of Somalia:

Situated in the city centre, the National Library of Somalia houses more than 22,000 books on different subjects, including Somalia’s culture and history. It was first opened in 1975 and reopened in June 2013.

Mogadishu Cathedral:

The Mogadishu Cathedral is a cathedral dating from the Italian colonial rule in Somalia. The church was constructed in the year 1928 in the Norman Gothic style of architecture.

What else to see in Mogadishu?

Mogadishu Stadium
Somali National University
Bakaara Market
Villa Somalia
Arba’a Rukun Mosque

When to travel Mogadishu?

Mogadishu experiences a hot and semi-arid climate with moderate dry weather. The best time to visit Mogadishu is from May to October.

Accommodation options in Mogadishu:

There are many standard hotels in Mogadishu, with all basic and upgraded facilities like restaurant, meeting rooms, safe box, TV, internet access, AC and food on request. Other than amenities, visitors are also served by authentic Somali and international delicacies at reasonable rates. Most hotels in the city offer advance booking facility through online, which is also helpful for getting fine hotels during peak season. The prominent hotels in Mogadishu are as follows: